Which of the following acts of mordant in gram staining technique

Options

A. Alcohol
B. Crystal violet stain
C. Safranine
D. Lodine

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks which substance acts as a mordant in the Gram staining technique. A mordant is a chemical that helps fix a stain onto a specimen.

2. **Defining Mordant**: A mordant is a substance that helps to bind the dye to the cell wall of bacteria during the staining process. This is crucial for differentiating between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

3. **Identifying the Staining Process**: In the Gram staining technique, the primary stain used is crystal violet. After applying this stain, a mordant is used to enhance the binding of the dye to the bacterial cell wall.

4. **Evaluating Options**:
- **Alcohol**: This is used in the Gram staining process to decolorize the bacteria, not to fix the stain. Therefore, it is not a mordant.
- **Safranin**: This is a counterstain used after the decolorization step. It is also not a mordant.
- **Iodine**: This is the key substance that acts as a mordant. It forms a complex with crystal violet, helping to fix the dye to the cell wall.
- **Crystal Violet**: This is the primary stain, not a mordant.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the evaluation, iodine is the correct answer as it acts as the mordant in the Gram staining technique.

**Final Answer**: The substance that acts as a mordant in the Gram staining technique is **iodine**.

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